SPRINGDALE — D.J. Beeler has felt the need during the past few months to talk to his players and stress they can’t get complacent during practice.
The Springdale High boys soccer coach hasn’t gotten the impression his team has lost any of its desire since winning last year’s Class 7A state championship in dominant fashion.
But he wants to make sure.
“We’ve kind of adopted the mentality that there’s nothing to defend. That’s over. It’s behind us now,” Beeler said. “That will always be our championship. Nobody’s going to take that away from us, so we’re trying to look forward and we’re trying to go after the next one.”
Schedule
Springdale High Bulldogs
Date Opponent Time
Feb. 22 Conway (Benefit) 5 p.m.
Feb. 26 at Tulsa Jenks 4 p.m.
Feb. 26 vs. Bartlesville^ 8 p.m.
Feb. 28 Harrison 7 p.m.
March 1-2 NWA Showcase TBD
March 6 Bentonville 7 p.m.
March 7 Eureka Springs 7 p.m.
March 12 at Van Buren 8 p.m.
March 14 Green Forest 7:30 p.m.
March 22-23 at Conway Classic TBD
March26 at Springdale Har-Ber 7 p.m.
March 29 at Siloam Springs 7 p.m.
April 5 Rogers High 7:30 p.m.
April 9 Rogers Heritage 7:30 p.m.
April 12 Van Buren 8 p.m.
April 19 Bentonville 7 p.m.
April 26 Fayetteville 7 p.m.
May 3 Springdale Har-Ber 7:30 p.m.
^ — at Tulsa (Okla.) Jenks
A year ago, the Bulldogs talked at length about trying to get over the hump after losing in three consecutive trips to the state semifinals.
It made for easy motivation last spring during Springdale’s state championship run, which included a 19-1 record and a 3-0 rout of Little Rock Catholic in the state title game.
That’s in the past, though.
“Right now, everybody is working hard. We’re trying to do what we can to get another one,” said Springdale forward Jorge Gonzalez, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the state championship game after scoring a pair of goals against Catholic.
“Springdale is known for having good soccer, and we’re trying to stay consistent at that.”
The Bulldogs return most of the players from last year’s title team, though they’ve had to look for new leadership following the graduation of Nelson Landaverde, last year’s Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year.
Beeler said Gonzalez is “arguably the best player in the state,” and junior Roberto Castro returns after scoring 12 goals last season — including one in the state championship game — to be named the NWA Media All-Big 6 Newcomer of the Year.
“We’ve got another talented group, and we’re deep,” Beeler said. “Our team is balanced in the sense that we’ve got depth at each position, which is nice to have.”
However, the Bulldogs will have a much different look when they take the field Friday for a benefit game against Conway. That’s because Beeler has decided to go away from last year’s formation that relied on five midfielders and turned to a 4-4-2 lineup that better suits his roster.
“The 4-4-2 is probably the most widely used formation, but we’ve put some different wrinkles in,” Beeler said. “So it’s not your standard 4-4-2. It’s different, and that’s where the adjustment comes for the kids.”